Originally Posted by
downtube42
Can this really be tightened down enough to confidently go on a long ride?
If I buy the Velo Orange French thread cartridge BB, would it be any more resistant to unscrewing?
VO also makes an expanding threadless cartridge BB for just a bit more... good option?
Yes it can be tightened enough to stay tight. My UO8's right-side cup has be removed a few times, our Peugeot tandem's has been removed. After being tightened properly they've gone a few thousand miles each. Neither has Loctite or other bonding material.
Any threaded BB might loosen up the same way a bearing race, but I suppose there could be styles which don't. The reason they loosen is that the rotating pressure from the spindle makes the race try to roll around the inside of the BB. A cartridge system is subject to the same forces.
I've read good and bad things about the threadless units. Their primary application is a BB with damaged threads.
Be aware that Italian BB's are threaded like French, but with different threads and a larger diameter. In theory they are subject to the same loosening. You don't hear complaints though.
Many French races (Stronglight?) use a 38mm wrench. I've re-assembled out tandem with a high-quality 12" adjustable wrench. Do it carefully so it doesn't slip off, but it can be done.